An officer in a small city in western Alabama has been placed on administrative leave after a video emerged showing her using a stun gun on a handcuffed Black man last week.
On December 2, a witness captured a video showing a White female officer from the Reform Police Department and a Black man handcuffed on the ground on the side of a road.
The events leading up to the video are not publicly known, and the man and officer involved have not been identified by authorities. However, the man and officer are named in an arrest complaint provided to CNN by the man’s attorney.
According to Attorney Leroy Maxwell, Jr., the man featured in the video is his client, Micah Washington, who is 24 years old. Maxwell stated that prior to the start of the video, Washington was on the side of the road, in the process of changing a tire. It was at this point that Officer Dana Elmore, as mentioned in the arrest complaint, approached Washington and requested his identification.
According to Maxwell, she initially refused to give her phone to the officer, but Washington eventually handed it over. However, as Washington started recording with his phone, Maxwell alleges that the officer immediately deployed her stun gun on Washington and proceeded to handcuff him while he was on the ground.
Reform police have yet to respond to CNN’s request for more information and the incident report. CNN has been unable to reach Elmore for comment.
In the recorded video by Washington’s brother, the officer can be seen telling him to stand up after he is already on the ground. She then proceeds to walk him over to a patrol car where she leans him over the hood.
“Stay still,” she said as she started to search Washington.
“I’m not doing anything,” Washington says as she searches his pockets. “I have a gun right there,” he adds.
The officer confidently places the gun on the hood of the car, saying, “Oh, yeah.”
The officer shouts profanities at him while she maintains her grip on Washington.
The aftermath of the video remains unknown to CNN.
A signed arrest affidavit by Elmore accuses Washington of multiple offenses, including obstructing government operations, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, and trafficking fentanyl.
Maxwell stated that some of the charges against Washington have already been dismissed. He further clarified that Washington is not a felon and the firearm he possessed was legal. Maxwell also mentioned that Washington was able to secure his release from jail by posting a $5,000 bond.
Maxwell, in an interview with CNN, stated that there were evident instances of misconduct, including the use of excessive force, assault, and battery, captured on video. Additionally, he highlighted that false charges had been levied against the individual in question.
Maxwell expressed his determination to clear Micah’s name and ensure that all those responsible are held accountable, stating, “We will not cease our efforts until justice is served.”
Reform Police Chief Richard Black and Mayor Melody Davis have acknowledged a video of the arrest and confirmed that Officer Elmore has been placed on administrative leave. As of now, no charges have been filed against her.
The Alabama State Bureau of Investigation is currently looking into the incident, as stated. Reform, a city located approximately 80 miles west of Birmingham, has a population of around 3,000 people.
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